A SALISBURY man is once again going to great lengths to raise money and awareness for a charity close to his heart.

54-year-old Sid Keyte is a familiar face to runners at the London Marathon, as he has twice run the 26.2 mile course dressed as a phone box.

And this year is no different as Sid is donning the phone box once again to raise funds so Muscular Dystrophy UK can help fund ground-breaking research.

This comes after Sid’s younger brother Robin lives with myotonic dystrophy – a rare a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting.

Robin was diagnosed in 2003 when he was in his early 30s.

“He was experiencing balance issues, kept falling over and was struggling to hold a coffee cup,” Sid said.

READ MORE: Bulford-based man to run London Marathon – with fridge strapped to his back

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“Robin’s condition has got a lot worse over the last five or six years as his muscles have got weaker.

“He has needed to use his mobility scooter more and is expected to be in a wheelchair soon. But he never complains or feels sorry for himself. He’s the most generous, kind person, always thinking of others.

“Robin lives on the Isle of Wight with his amazingly supportive wife, Jenny, who is his full-time carer, and really focuses on living the best life he can, like going sailing, which is something he’s always enjoyed and is still possible thanks to Cowes Sailability Club.

“We were always close growing up, but our bond has got stronger over the years, and while he thinks I’m a bit mad running around as a phone box, he’s happy that I’m doing something to help others who are living with a condition like his.”

The Phone Box Sid runs in is made of wood and cardboard and weighs 15kg.

Sid says he has a love/hate relationship with the outfit – and that strangers often give him odd looks when training.

Sid at Stonehenge with the phone box Picture: Muscular Dystrophy UK

“Training is quite challenging, and I have had to learn how to run like a penguin inside my box without the use of my arms,” he said.

“I definitely confuse people and animals when I’m out training! But it’s a great conversation starter and that is important.

“The phone box attracts attention, and when people ask me about it, it allows me to tell them about Robin and why I’m fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“Having these conversations and increasing awareness is just as important to me as raising money.

“I know there probably won’t be a cure that will benefit Robin, but I want to do something to help others like him in the future.

“Donations and fundraising help Muscular Dystrophy UK so that they can continue to fund research projects as well as offer support to people living with muscle-wasting conditions.

“Robin teaches me, and all of us, to live life to the full and be kind to others. If he can remain so positive despite the daily challenges he faces, then I can run as a phone box for a few miles!”

In addition to regular fundraising for this year’s London Marathon, Sid’s phone box has also been sponsored by BluKonzept Consulting, Gieves & Hawkes, Levy Real Estate and wearetwo.com.

Click here to donate to Sid’s Go Fund Me page.

Sid is not the only person from the Salisbury area running the London Marathon on Sunday (April 27) wearing a challenging outfit.

Joss Mowforth, based at the Bulford Camp, aims to smash the world record for someone running the marathon with a fridge strapped to his back.

Read more about that here.